Before she was Elyse Keaton Meredith Baxter Birney played the oldest daughter Nancy on the classic series Family. What role do you know her more for?

Whenever I saw Elyse Keaton I always saw Nancy Lawrence Maitland especially the first season when her hair was long the way it looked on Family.

As a kid growing up in the 80s, I grew up with MB as Elyse. It wasn't until I was an adult and checked out Family on DVD that I saw her as Nancy. Nancy was definitely the meatier role of the two. MB was Emmy-nominated for Family, and I don't think she ever was for FT.

I know her more as Elyse Keaton but then I've never really seen Family.

Elyse.

As a kid growing up in the 80s, I grew up with MB as Elyse. It wasn't until I was an adult and checked out Family on DVD that I saw her as Nancy. Nancy was definitely the meatier role of the two. MB was Emmy-nominated for Family, and I don't think she ever was for FT.
No she was not nominated for an Emmy for Family Ties. She was not a sitcom actress and it showed in many of her performances on the show. If it had not been for Michael J. FOx the show would had been cancelled. I did like the way her and Michael Gross played husband and wife on the show. Too bad more stories could had been written on their relationship. They looked as though they could had been married in real life.

Thanks for clarifying. Michael J. Fox was clearly the star of the show, but Michael Gross also had a terrific droll humor as Steven Keaton (i.e. the immortal line "there was a kangaroo...in my living room." :lol:). But MB & MG did make a very convincing married couple and helped anchor the show.

Meredith to me will always be the girl on The Partridge Family and as Bridget of Bridget Loves Birney.

Edited: Please lets keep it clean.

If it had not been for Michael J. FOx the show would had been cancelled. I did like the way her and Michael Gross played husband and wife on the show. Too bad more stories could had been written on their relationship. They looked as though they could had been married in real life.

I think MJF sometimes gets too much credit for his role on Family Ties. Yes, he was a big part of the show, but there were four and later on five main actors/actresses on the show [Meredith Baxter Birney, Michael Gross, Justine Bateman, Tina Yothers and Brian Bonsall]. Plus there were the other regular re-occuring stars (ie: Marc Price, Courteney Cox, Scott Valentine and Tracey Pollan). It was an ensemble cast who were, imo, great. Minus the Nick character of course, lol. I feel sorry for the other cast members who tended to get shoved aside because of MJF. I agree that MG and MBB should have had more storylines. I think too many storylines focused on MJF's character.

For those of you not familiar with Meredith on Family, I found a plethora of photos.

MB's real-life mother, Whitney Blake, was a guest star - as was her then-husband, David Birney. To top it off, none other than MJF guested in Family's final season in 1980.

Some more cast shots of the cast of Family - including the time they appeared on another "Family" show, Family Feud! :cool:

Some screen shots of Meredith as Nancy Lawrence Maitland (1976-80):

Meredith was nominated for two Emmys in the role, in 1977 and 1978 (Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series). The first time, she lost to her co-star, Kristy McNichol, and the second time was beaten out by Nancy Marchand (Lou Grant).

Meredith's character, Nancy Lawrence Maitland, was a divorced single mom. She moved into her parents' guesthouse and went through law school, finally becoming a lawyer like her father, Doug. Never lacking for a date, she still couldn't quite get her ex-husband and father of her little boy (Timmy), Jeff Maitland (John Rubenstein) out of her system.

Wow, this thread has taken a big turn. I think this belongs on the Family board instead.

I just viewed the episode of The Love Boat where Meredith played a woman who appeared nude in a magazine. Doc said something to the effect that it wasnt shameful but beautiful!

Didn't Meredith appear on an episode of The Love Boat with then-hubby David Birney?

Fact is i think Meredith is great in both roles(Family & Family Ties).

I liked her in both roles.

Probably because it was the role she was in first (and where I saw her first), she Nancy Lawrence Maitland. Although while I was watching Family Ties, I had no problem seeing her as Elyse Keaton.